​Liza Jackson maintains the high academic expectations which have proven successful since we opened in 2001. LJPS has been an A+ school each year, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Our students benefit from a rigorous academic program based on both state and national academic standards. Students are exposed to courses including Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts and Spanish on a daily basis. They are also provided opportunities to explore additional courses which include Band, Art, Drama, Technology, Digital Arts and Physical Education to create a richer learning experience. High school credit courses are offered in Algebra 1 Honors, Geometry Honors and Spanish based on student achievement and teacher recommendation.

The small-school atmosphere and developmentally-appropriate school environment nurtures our students while at the same time preparing them for success in middle and high school. Expectations for conduct and behavior ensure that all students learn in an orderly, secure, and welcoming environment.

LJPS maximizes student learning and academic achievement by concentrating all of its resources on individual student improvement. Grade level teachers plan together daily in order to make effective cross-curricular connections. Extensive, frequent data analysis by the teachers drive the curriculum content each year and allow teachers to continually adjust instruction to meet both group and individual student needs. LJPS embraces high academic standards for all students, a challenging curriculum with real-world applications, and a culture of continuous improvement. LJPS faculty, staff, students and families truly believe that “We are a caring community of learners dedicated to making the world a better place through academic preparation, good manners, common sense, and 100% effort”. ​

Class Pages

​Kaye McKinley, Principal

​Kaye McKinley holds a BS degree in Special Education K-12 and English K-12 from Texas Woman’s University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from University of West Florida. Mrs. McKinley has been an educator for 37 years in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since arriving in Okaloosa County in 1993, she has been a Special Education teacher, General Education teacher, ESE staffing specialist, Director of ESE, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. She is married to Marv McKinley, retired USAF. They have five children who are all active duty and/or married to military members. They are the proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren. Mrs. McKinley was duly commissioned in 2010 as the Military Family Education Liaison for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for the state of Florida.

​Julie Jenzen, ​Assistant Principal

Julie Jenzen is the Vice-Principal at LJPS. She is a lifelong member of the Fort Walton Beach community, attending many local public schools. She has dual bachelor’s degrees in Special and Elementary Education, a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Technology, a certification in Educational Leadership and is Gifted and ESOL endorsed. Mrs. Jenzen taught in the Okaloosa County Public schools for 15 years before coming aboard at Liza Jackson in January of 2001, the year the school opened. ​

​Michele Bailey, ​Middle School Curriculum Coordinator

​I began my education career in Hattiesburg, Mississippi as a Technology Discovery teacher in a junior high. During my first year of teaching, I was awarded the Sallie Mae Teaching Award for Outstanding First Year Teacher in the school district. Several years later, my husband and I moved to Jackson, Mississippi where I taught high school mathematics including Algebra, Geometry,Trigonometry, and Statistics. In 2000, my husband and I relocated to Fort Walton Beach and my career shifted to seventh grade mathematics at Bruner Middle School, where I was named teacher of the year during my second year. I felt as though I definitely found my place teaching middle school and couldn't image teaching any other age. Three years later, I found my home at Liza. I have spent my time teaching seventh grade mathematics, and serving as the IB Coordinator and Middle School Math Coach until becoming the Middle School Curriculum Coordinator in 2016. I am truly blessed to have been a part of the Liza family over the years.My family includes two beautiful step daughters, one handsome son in law, a witty volleyball playing high school daughter and a joke telling, video gaming middle school son. My awesome husband and I will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary in 2017.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is available in languages other than English. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.E-mail Disclaimer: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. For questions about the website or to request access to any information currently inaccessible, contact the LJPS at (850)833-3321